About the Book

Book Description: Mary’s heart breaks over the pending destruction of a beautiful, but damaged filly. When life is not fair, the courageous challenge the obstacles. Twelve-year-old Mary was disabled at the age of four by the same virus that took the life of her mother. While she longs to have a horse of her own, she’s limited to reading horse books. A talented artist, she spends her days on a blanket in the grass sketching the horses at the farm next door. She falls in love with one of the foals and is outraged to learn the filly is considered worthless as it was born lame. Mary befriends and enlists the help of twelve-year-old Laura, whose family owns the horse farm. Against the better judgment of the farm manager, a brief reprieve is negotiated for the foal’s life. The girls conspire to raise money to save her, but time is running out. Sadly, it appears the expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct her problem anyway. Mary isn’t about to give up. She sacrifices what she holds dear, including the trust of her papa, to gain her heart’s desire. Will she lose everything in her struggle to save the foal?

What others are saying...

"An excellent and engaging book from start to finish. A must read." - Amazon Review

"Susan Count knows how to write about horses, family, friendship, love, faith, and sacrifice. Her true-to-life characters easily engaged me in wanting to know more about them and how their conflicts would be resolved." - Geoffrey W.

"A genuinely touching story about friendship and recovery. I strongly recommend this to anyone looking for a good horse book perfect for middle age girls!" - Amazon Review

My Review: I loved this story. Great friendly characters that readers can connect with. Good horse story about love, friendship, and family.

About the Author

One day...I began to write with no preconceived ideas about anything. I’d read what I had written the day before and add another scene to the adventure. No one could have been more astounded than I was when it turned into a book. The whole process gave me great joy and restored my spirit after a season of loss. My motivation was my desire to bless one particular young lady with a story to show her a love relationship in a family, with the Lord, and with a horse. I truly thought the story would remain in a drawer until she was old enough to read it. Surprise.

I write at an antique secretary desk which belonged to the same grandmother who introduced me to horse books. The desk has secret compartments and occupies a glass room with a forest view. Bunnies and cardinals regularly interrupt my muse, as do my horses grazing in a clearing.

Though I am a rider and lover of horses, I make no claims of expertise in any riding discipline. I hope that my research keeps me from annoying those who would know.

The only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories. Saddle up and ride along!

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize(winner’s choice) Giveaway ends: January 2, 11:59 pm, 2017Open to: Internationally.How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Count and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

Friday, December 9, 2016

I was inspired by my older daughter Angel’s participation in cross
country. She—along with her high school teammates—worked so hard, running and
training in the summer of 1986 that they entered the season that fall in such
good condition that they went on to win the conference championship. I was also
impressed by the fact that earlier in my daughter’s career as a runner, she was
just considered average, but she proved through hard work she could excel. I
first wrote the story in long hand, and as often happens, other things in life
got in the way, so I put it up. When I retired in 2004, I was determined that I wanted
to spend my time writing, so I dug out the story. It didn’t take long for me to
realize that what was developing was a tale about more than cross country. That
sport was simply a vehicle to deliver a subtle message about teen angst,
bigotry, and taking a stand for right. In other words, I had a YA novel that
dealt with values. Not in a preachy way, but displayed through the choices and
actions of my main character, Cassie Garnet. Of course, what with the
revolution in technology, 2016 is a far cry from 1986, requiring me to update
the story to the present. What I believe I created is a novel that combines
values with realism. How do I know about teen angst, especially as experienced
by young women? Well, my wife and I raised two daughters, and the best answer I
can give is that my involvement with their growing up gave me good experience
and a reference point to tell this story.
Also, it would be remiss of me not to mention the counsel I received
from my editor Erin Liles and the mystery writer Susan Van Kirk. They were a huge help.

What three words best describe your
main character?

underachiever, developing, committed

Do you have a method for creating
your characters, their names and what do you think makes them believable?

My method is simple: At least for No Ordinary Season I observed the young
people around me and those I had in class—46 years as a teacher. The book I am
working on now, which is being written under the working title Beat
Not the Air, is based more on my
experiences as a kid growing up in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. I call
it a YA novel for old baby boomers. Names? I try to pick names that are common
to the era. I had to “modernize” a number of the names in Season to fit this time.
Truthfully, the names of my characters don’t contain any hidden meanings. As
far as believable, I listen to the language of the time, observe the trends,
and research that which I don’t know much about or don’t understand. In the
case of No Ordinary Season, when I was nearing the final draft, I put a
hard copy of the manuscript into the hands of my beta readers—five teenage
young women—and sought their unvarnished input. Believe me, they didn’t hold
back, and I took their advice seriously.

Do your characters follow your plot
path or do they take on a life of their own? Do you keep them in check?

Martin Litvin was a writer from my hometown who had some measure of
success, but had a wealth of experience. He once advised me to “write the
story, and then put it together.” I start with a good grasp of who my
characters are, at least in a general sense. For example, I knew when I started
Season,
Cassie would be a high school student struggling to overcome the
“stigma” of being mediocre—striving to be significant. But that was about it. I
took off writing the story, and over time I standardized place and time,
refined the plot, and allowed the characters to develop with the story. But,
yes, there are times when I have to pull back some of my characters. For
example, in Season, I was forced to rein in Cassie, because she was
becoming a little too “rebellious”. Certainly, she is no saint, but she is for
sure not an out-of-control hedonist either. She, like most teens, is struggling
as she approaches adulthood.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s
block? If so, how did you overcome it?

No, I never had a problem
with it. I think maybe that’s due to the method of writing the story first and
then putting it together. In my case—and this is strictly in my case—I view the
novel, novella, or short story as being like construction of a building. It
begins with the architectural drawing—the rough draft—that gives an overview,
and then as it develops it becomes a schematic, as fine points and details are
created and sanded to bring the story alive, just like the building comes to
completion. I would also mention that I do a great deal of my writing when I am
walking or jogging— head writing. Then,
upon returning home, I immediately put those thoughts on paper.

What types of books do you like to
read?

Although I have great
respect for writers of fantasy, futurism, the magical, and the supernatural, I
don’t read those books. I like stories about the life most of us experience.
The writers who I have read the most are the black writers: Ralph Ellison, Zora
Neal Hurston, James Baldwin, and Richard Wright. Yes, I know, that they don’t
seem to fit the YA genre, but that’s who I like the most. I also have been
influence by John Steinbeck, Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, Flannery O’Connor, and I
especially like Larry McMurtry’s The Last Picture Show. I also like
the “cozy” mysteries of Susan Van Kirk; not well known out of mystery readers’
circles, but an entertaining author who weaves a quiet message within her
who-done-its. Of course, most of these writers have written about young adults,
but with more naturalist themes and settings. Mind you, I am in no way
comparing myself to any of these great authors, but those are the kinds of book
I like to read.

What do you like to do when you are
aren’t writing?

Spend time with Hattie,
my wife, and with our daughters, granddaughters, and sons-in-law. I read a lot
too and jog 20 miles a week, often with Sweetie, our dog.

What’s next for your writing? Are you
working on a new story?

I am working on the
previously mentioned Beat Not the Air and a novella with
the working title, Freeing Jocko. As I said, Beat Not…is a YA novel set in the
early 1960’s.

Freeing Jocko is for older readers.

What is the best piece of writing
advice you’ve received?

This came from both Susan
Van Kirk and Martin Litvin: As much as is possible, make writing a job. Set
aside time. Discipline yourself to write even when you don’t feel like it or
aren’t “inspired”. Also, read a lot, because reading and writing are welded
together. Finally, I try to carry around something to write with and something
to write on, so that any ideas I have I can jot down and not forget.

No Ordinary Season will be coming out sometime between mid-December to early
January. I don’t have a release date yet. My book can be found on Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, on my publisher’s website (fatherandson.com), in some book
stores, and it can be ordered from me at my website, jimjacobswriter.com. I
should add that those who order directly from me will receive a discount.

I have had the pleasure of reading this book. My Review: I loved it. I love reading books where I can connect with believable characters. If I can run like that when I'm not in shape, what could I do if I am really fit? Maybe C.R. Simon can help me answer that question. Cassie is a typical teenager that readers can relate to. She deals with problems most teenagers face. Enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more books by James.

Excerpt:

Zach tore into Jake. The two swung wildly,
mostly hitting nothing but autumn air, but every now and then landing a blow.
Then Zach tackled Jake. The two tumbled to the edge of the bank and rolled
around like a couple of groundhogs trapped in a drain pipe. A huge crowd
gathered around them, yelling first for one, then the other. I rushed from the
car and pushed my way to the front along with Marlo.

Now, the two gladiators were on their feet
circling each other, fists up and ready. Jake swung

and
missed. Zach smacked him in the right eye. Jake grabbed the right side of his
face—his check and eye socket. Then Zach drove a right-handed fist into Jake’s
nose. Blood shot out, and down tumbled
Jake, butt over elbows into the chilled water of the Mississinewa.

Oh, God, I thought, I hope
he’s not seriously hurt.

Fortunately, the river was down and
running slowly. Jake rose and stood knee deep in the water flowing past him.
His white shirt was spotted with red polka dots as drops of blood dripped onto
his chest. Jake blotted his bloody nose with his shirt sleeve, and then started
up out of the Mississinewa, slipping on the bank and back into the river.

I rushed to him. “Jake, are you all
right?” I said, wading into the river, then wrapping my arms around him and his
soaked collar. Ignoring the blood, I pulled him down to me and we kissed.

“Hey, what the. . . you’re my date,” said
Zach.

Jake and I kissed even harder. Actually, I
felt kind of bad for Zach. He’d been a good sport, and
I’d used him. But an apology would have to wait. Right then, I was busy. I
mean, like my dad says: All’s fair in love and war.

ABOUTTHE
AUTHOR

JAMES V. JACOBS
was
educated at Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) and Western
Illinois University. He worked in the Civil Rights Movement with Urban League
affiliates in Indiana, and taught fifth grade in the Galesburg, IL public
schools for thirty-five years. He also taught writing at Carl Sandburg
Community College.

Jacobs has
received awards for his teaching and commitment to human relations. They
include Award of Excellence from the
Illinois Math and Science Academy, League
of Latin American Citizens (LULAC)Teacher of the Year, Honored Teacher Award from the University of Iowa, Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from
Indiana Wesleyan University, Outstanding
Dedication to Education Citation from Boston University, and the Human Relations Award from the Galesburg
Human Relations Commission. Jacobs was also part owner of HRC, Inc., a business
that dealt with issues of racism through education and conflict resolution.

Jacobs’s
essays have appeared in The Prairie
Journal and The Zephyr, and he has
had an essay and short story published inthe literary/art magazine Phizzogs. Additionally, Jacobs authored A Teacher’s Guide to Voices of the Prairie
Land.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

As the final bell for the day rang on their last day in school, Diya Rai, had a chill run down her spine. The chill of not knowing what the future holds for her and her high school sweetheart, Ashwin Chowdhury.
So she does a preemptive strike.
She dumps him before he can hurt her.

2015.

Two years later, Ashwin and Diya, cross paths. Each holds grudges, feelings and only one half of the story that completes them.
Told from alternating points of view, through a non-linear timeline, this is the story about
first love, second chances and ALL the SIGNS THAT LEAD BACK TO YOU.

Meet the Characters

Diya Rai – is the protagonist of the story whose actions have always had terrible consequences for those around her. Diya is self-absorbed and never chooses anyone else over her own self. Diya’s troubled past keeps her from letting people into her life. Even though she’s hurt Ashwin she wants him back in her life years later.

Ashwin Chowdhury – is her best friend in school and later on, boyfriend. He is left heartbroken by Diya but when their paths cross later on, he realises he doesn’t want anything to do with her. He lives with his mother and elder brother and hails from a upper middle-class family background.

Nina Gonzales – is Diya’s best friend in college. She and Diya had met during their admissions and had become fast friends with one another. Nina and Ashwin end up competing with one another to see who is really Diya’s best friend!

Rishabh – is the quintessential hot, rich guy that Diya dates in college. He seems to be in love with her, but Diya doesn’t seem to return the same affection towards him. Nina hates his guts.

Trina – is the girl Ashwin is interested in. She goes to the same college as Diya and Nina, and while Diya dislikes her mostly because Ashwin seems to be interested in her, Nina is indifferent to her.

My Review: "Well, no one said love was going to be easy," he replied shrugging. "You can't just enjoy the good parts and bid farewell every time you come close to the ugly parts." Even though all signs lead back to each other, does that mean they should get back together? Deep believable characters.

Aniesha Brahma is an author who realized her passion for writing at the tender age of six. She also happens to be the social media manager for BEE Books. Her debut novel, The Secret Proposal (2012) was published by General Press and was followed by When Our Worlds Collide (2015) by the same. She blogs at: www.anieshabrahma.com and runs an online magazine, BUZZ Magazine. She can be contacted at: aniesha.brahma@gmail.com. She lives in Kolkata with her family and her five super adorable cats!

New to the series? No problem! Each book in the “Bodyguards”
series is a stand-alone title. Although reading the books in order is
preferred, it is not necessary. Each
title features brand new primary characters and limited overlapping secondary
characters. Don’t hesitate to jump right
in!

Isabella
Colby has always yearned for normalcy. Now that she’s settled in LA, she
finally has it. Good friends, a pretty home, and her thriving career as the
Palisades’ top skincare specialist are a dream come true. Bella is content until
she meets her hunky new neighbor, but her attraction to the blue-eyed cutie is
the least of her worries when contacting her long-lost father threatens to
destroy her happy life.

Reed
McKinley is more than ready to forget the past. His seven-year stint as an NYPD
detective nearly got him killed. His wounds have healed and he’s starting over
as Ethan Cooke Security’s latest recruit. With sixty-hour workweeks and little
time to himself, the last thing on his mind is a relationship. Then he bumps
into the gorgeous woman next door.

Reed
and Bella become fast friends. Before long, Reed discovers that Bella is
keeping dangerous secrets. Bella may have the answers to decades-old questions
he’s been searching for. Reed will risk it all to uncover the truth, but he
soon realizes that the deeper he digs, the direr the consequences.

The Inspiration Behind Deceiving Bella:

I must admit that one of my most favorite parts of the
writing process is figuring out who my characters are going to be. Typically, I
have vague ideas but as I start the storytelling process, my heroes and
heroines evolve and grow until I can visualize them as living, breathing
people. I always begin with character sketches, giving each central figure in
the story a life that starts with their birth and takes them to the present
day. It’s vital to know who they are and how they tick (the experiences that
make them exactly who they are when my readers meet them). For Deceiving Bella, I thought it would be
fun to share an adventure where the hero and heroine have absolutely nothing in
common (or so it seems). Despite Reed and Bella’s differences, they make a
great team. I hope you enjoy their story.

Read an excerpt from Deceiving Bella:

Should we get started?” Bella gestured to the kitchen.

“After you.”

She walked in front of Reed, hurrying to the table to pull
out a chair. “Does this work?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” He sat down.

She immediately draped him with the black cover, wanting to
get to his hair while it was still wet. “So, what are we doing here, exactly?”

“Just a cleanup, especially on my neck.”

“Sure.” She grabbed the sheers and took her place by his
side, sliding her fingers though his short hair and stopped. “Oops.”

His shoulders tensed. “What?”

“Just kidding. A little haircutting humor.”

He tilted his head up, meeting her eyes. “A comedian.”

She laughed as he smiled. “I haven’t even started cutting
yet.” She gave him a bump. “Try to relax. I promise you’re in good hands.”

“Chop away.”

“Thanks.” She combed her fingers through his hair once more,
using small snips to freshen up his look. Silent seconds ticked by as she
breathed in the masculine scent that was Reed. He didn’t seem to wear cologne
or use any fancy shampoos, but he smelled good just the same. “So, how was your
day?”

“Not too shabby.”

She worked her way around his head, finding his cut a breeze
to clean up. He easily could have gone another week without any problems. “What
did you do?”

“Worked a little. Boxed.”

“Fascinating.”

“I could make up something about stopping a bank robbery in
progress or rescuing a cat from a tree.”

She smiled. “The truth is fine, thanks.”

“What about you?”

“It was pretty much a normal day at the office—a
second-session tattoo removal, a microdermabrasion, two stretch mark
reductions, the usual stuff.”

“What’s the tattoo of? The one you’re taking off?”

“A woman’s name. Genevieve. The relationship didn’t work
out.”

He winced. “Ouch.”

“Triple ouch. Tattoo removal is not a pain-free procedure, nor is it cheap—and he went pretty
ornate with Genevieve. Hopefully next
time he’ll pick a woman with a shorter name or abstain from getting himself
tatted up altogether.”

He laughed.

She grinned, loving that sound. Did he have any idea how
gorgeous he was when he smiled like that? She picked up the clippers off the
table and let her knees rest against his as she leaned in and gently lifted his
chin, evening out his sideburns. She swallowed, feeling his breath on her skin
and his eyes studying her face. Licking her lips, she met his gaze. “You better
hope I get this part right, or you’ll have to tilt your head for the next four
days.”

He sent her another one of his pulse-pounding smiles.
“You’ll have to help me decide if I should lean more to the left or right.”

Oh, this cutie had the potential to be trouble. Her eyes
darted to his mouth mere inches from hers as his five o’clock shadow tormented
her sensitized fingers. She took a step back and a steadying breath. It was a
good thing they were just friends—currently the only relationship status she
was interested in.

Did you enjoy the excerpt? You
can read the first chapter on my website, www.catebeauman.com, or you can finish the whole book with the
links below!

My Review: Another good book by Cate. Good, believable characters a reader can connect with. I know I did. I like the way Bella and Reed interact with each other.

About the author:

International bestselling author Cate Beauman
is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her
novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction
Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award,
and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY
was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist,
while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as
the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH
received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.

Cate makes
her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards,
Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on her twelfth full length romantic
suspense novel.

Friday, November 18, 2016

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for The Courage of a Samurai: Seven Sword-Sharp Principles for Success by Lori Tsugawa Whaley. The tour will run from October 26 - November 25, 2016.

Book Description: The Courage of a Samurai is a Japanese American's journey into bushido, the samurai's code of ethics. Each chapter features a timeless message about Japanese and Japanese Americans who applied the principles of courage, integrity, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty to overcome life's challenges, and emerge stronger individuals. The Courage of a Samurai provides the reader a look ‘ inside’ this ancient code through the lives of inspiring individuals.Why did Chiune Sugihara, aka the Japanese Schindler, save the lives of Polish and Lithuanian Jews during World War II against the orders of the Japanese and Lithuanian governments? Understand the meaning of Honor in Saigo Takamori’ s, aka The Last Samurai, determination to preserve the samurai’ s way of life. Learn why “Go for Broke!” was the motto of the famous World War II all-Nisei 100th/442ndRCT, and discover why this simple motto reflects the essence of the way of the warrior. The Code of Bushido can guide us through the challenges we all face, and inspire us to live a life of honor, courage, and integrity in today’ s fast-paced and changing world. Sharpen your sword, and let the journey begin!

What others are saying...

"Bushido might be a Japanese culture, but I now realize that many of its aspects have universal values and appeals. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks inspirations to be a better person who can think beyond his/her personal and cultural boundaries." - Amazon Review

"Inspiring and clear. Wonderful stories that relate basic life principles in a way anyone can enjoy and follow." - Amazon Review

"A very special and thoughtfully written book, that is a 'must read', for all, who want to reflect on their lives and learn how to make it better......especially, knowing there are those who have gone before us, making sacrifices we may have forgotten or fail to recognize." - Amazon Review

"Ms. Whaley's book is one of the most inspirational that I ever read. She takes the story of the brave Japanese American soldiers of World War II, and uses their story to inspire her modern readers. I could not put the book down! It was gripping, passionate, intense, and beautiful all at the same time! I recommend this to anyone and everyone." - Chris Brusatte

My Review: Samurai meas one who serves. It is not only physical courage that we admire; we also admire mental and spiritual courage. In each chapter I learned something new. Entertaining and educational.

About the Author: Lori Tsugawa Whaley

Lori Tsugawa Whaley is an author, professional keynote speaker and life coach. Lori is a third generation Japanese-American baby boomer and a descendant of the samurai warrior; she is on a mission to empower others to reach their God-given leadership potential no matter their path, heritage, or circumstances. Lori and her husband John reside in a Japanese-style home in the Pacific Northwest.

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: November 25, 11:59 pm, 2016Open to: Internationally.How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Lori Tsugawa Whaley and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

About the Book

Book Description: Thirteen-year-old Eva Thomas finds herself in a life threatening mystery when her dreams become real. Night after night, she is transported to Dreamland, where an evil being, the Shadow, wants her dead. Can Eva save herself and her dreams before it’s too late? Exhausted from troubled sleep, Eva stumbles through her days in a new town where her grandmother is known as an eccentric and in a new school where a bully has decided Eva needs to be put in her place. Eva is left feeling alone and uncertain until she meets Alice, a quirky classmate with non-stop questions about Eva’s family. Is Alice a friend or is she after something more?

In Dreamland, Eva is constantly on the run from the Shadow, even after she meets Herman, her dream-guide. Will Herman be able to protect Eva from the Shadow and shed some light on why the Shadow wants her dead? Or are Eva’s dreams destined to remain a nightmare?

"In The Gardenia Curse, Eva’s adventure unfolds like a gardenia blossom, a little at a time, getting more intriguing with each pedal that unfurls until finally the full thing is open to enjoy." - Amazon Review

"The author really captures your mind and heart. I am looking forward to the authors second book to see what happens next!" - Amazon Review

My Review: Loved this book. Eve has very strange dreams. A shadow is after her. How can she stop the shadow and save dreamland? Believable characters the reader can connect with. I know I did. Page turner.

About the Author

C. M. Savage began writing at a young age. She used a typewriter and crayons to write and illustrate her first book when she was in second grade and continued to write off and on through college. After traveling, she enjoyed working with birds of prey, mammals and endangered Hawaiian birds. She is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, enjoys crafting and having fun with her family. She recently moved back to Bend, Oregon with her husband and two daughters. The Gardenia Curse is her debut novel. She is now working on the sequel.

Blog Tour Prize Pack Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize(winner’s choice), a copy of The Gardenia Curse, and a Book Flower. Giveaway ends: November 28, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally. How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, C.M. Savage and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

As the final bell for the day rang on their last day in school, Diya Rai, had a chill run down her spine. The chill of not knowing what the future holds for her and her high school sweetheart, Ashwin Chowdhury.

So she does a preemptive strike.

She dumps him before he can hurt her.

2015.

Two years later, Ashwin and Diya, cross paths. Each holds grudges, feelings and only one half of the story that completes them.

Told from alternating points of view, through a non-linear timeline, this is the story about

first love, second chances and ALL the SIGNS THAT LEAD BACK TO YOU.

About the Author

Aniesha Brahma is an author who realized her passion for writing at the tender age of six. She also happens to be the social media manager for BEE Books. Her debut novel, The Secret Proposal (2012) was published by General Press and was followed by When Our Worlds Collide (2015) by the same. She blogs at: www.anieshabrahma.com and runs an online magazine, BUZZ Magazine (www.buzzmagazine.in). She can be contacted at: aniesha.brahma@gmail.com. She lives in Kolkata with her family and her five super adorable cats!

About the Book

Book Description: What if you had the ideal relationship with your children? This book is for every parent that wants to have a powerful bond with their kids. Parents have the opportunity for newfound freedom and joy when they teach their children about their Internal Guidance System. Tools and guidance are offered in this book for exacting the art of blissful parenting by practicing alignment. It's fun and easy to work with the Universe and a short lesson in the Law of Attraction is part of this script. Parents-live and also teach your children how to manifest what they want by thinking in a more positive way and deliberately creating their lives.

"This book is filled with amazing tools for any adult who wants to sharpen the innate gifts of the children in their lives and support them in developing and following their internal guidance. Beautifully and thoughtfully written with clear practical exercises to allow you to put into practice what you have read." - Debbie (Amazon Reviewer)

"The Art of Blissful Parenting offers readers a refreshing, out-of-the-box approach to raising happy children. Sharon offers practical tools and tips for teaching kids how to thrive by using the law of attraction and following their internal guidance system." - (Amazon Reviewer)

"This is a fascinating book for anyone who wants to raise confident, independent children. The author presents her unique ideas in a thoughtful and insightful way" - Cheryl (Amazon Reviewer)

About the Author: Sharon Ballantine

Sharon Ballantine is a Parenting Coach and certified Law of Attraction Life Coach. She has successfully raised three children and is the author a new book "The Art of Blissful Parenting."

Sharon is the founder of "The Ballantine Parenting Institute," her online parenting program.

Ballantine is a sought after speaker, and was host to her own Internet TV Show with Conscious Evolution Media Network from 2013-2014. The platform of The Sharon Ballantine TV Show featured a conversation with passionate spiritually minded guests. Sharon also had her own column with Beliefnet.com "Parenting on Purpose."

Sharon was interviewed on TV, February 15, 2016 for her new book release, "The Art of Blissful Parenting" on KING 5 New Day Northwest, a live daytime talk show in Seattle. Ballantine has been interviewed on several radio shows including Blog Talk Radio in Los Angeles, Chat with Women radio show in Seattle and Conscious Evolution Media Internet TV in Denver. Her interview with Hay House Radio will air by summer '16.

Sharon's website is SharonBallantine.com which features weekly teaching blogs, podcasts and slideshows. You can see her educational videos on her YouTube channel, Sharon Ballantine.

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: November 7, 11:59 pm, 2016Open to: Internationally.How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Sharon Ballantine and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the children's picture book written by Subhash Kommuru and illustrated by Sujata Kommuru, De Dana Dan (Hindi Edition). The blast will run October 12 - October 14, 2016.

English Book Description: Shastriji is a wise old chicken who always has an answer for "How...." until comes the vile crow Kaalia, who is up to no good. Shastriji's ideas to deal with Kaalia backfires one after the other. Is Kalia‛s tyranny going to end? What if the right question is not "How" but "Why?" The story becomes a tribute to motherhood when a mother's love overcomes all odds and propels Ganga to do something that dazzles everyone in Anand Nagar. As in the very best of children's literature, the gentle humor appeals to a younger audience while adults appreciate more subtle touches. Action and suspense cut through the age gap without obscuring the important moral lesson of the story. Mesmerizing illustrations, rendered with love by Sujata Kommuru, capture every nuance of the tale in great detail and every character has been very carefully portrayed and designed.

Subhash and Sujata an Award winning Children's author(s), hail from India and have been Honored for Excellence by Mom's Choice Awards.

They migrated to the United States along with their memories of childhood and youth. Now that they are parents, just like every immigrant they crave to introduce their child to the culture and values of their upbringing. Yet it is challenging to teach something while you are in the midst of adjusting to a different culture yourself.

Subhash and Sujata both work in different disciplines and have different styles and backgrounds, but it is the upbringing of their son that brings them on the same page. That exact place where they meet is captured and reflected in their stories, where Subhash can express in words, and Sujata can illustrate them beautifully. Where he puts it in black and white, she adds color to it. You get the idea!

These stories are their attempt to share a glimpse of their childhood days with their son. He is their inspiration to write short stories that have meaning to them and provide teaching in some shape or form.

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: October 26, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally. How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Subhash Kummuru and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

A
Dante-ish descent through a sinister world of decadent shadows and woeful
souls…

Seven years ago, he shattered her life.
The town eventually forgot the headlines and the nightmares. But 23-year old
music student Angelica hasn’t forgotten.

For the past seven years, she’s
contemplated payback with as much intensity and unwavering faith as she puts
into her violin playing. Finally, all the pieces are in place. Over the course
of one night, disguised for a masquerade ball, Angelica orchestrates a journey
of revenge.

My Review: I loved this book. Intriguing, interesting read. I was glued to this book, turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

About
Author Zoe Kalo

A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and
reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote
her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The
pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now
she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…

A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living
on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life.
Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which
she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching
for the perfect bottle of pinot noir. She is the
author of the YA fantasy series CULT OF THE CAT.